“From ‘Electricity Hunter’ to Bard Student”: Svitlana Kukharuk ’25 Wrote about Her Experience for the Daily Catch

After Russian missiles destroyed critical infrastructure 1.5 miles from her home, Svitlana Kukharuk ’25 and her family went without electricity for 10 hours per day. “I gave myself a new name: ‘electricity hunter,’” Kukharuk wrote for the Daily Catch. Reflecting on her experience leaving Ukraine and her studies at National University of Ostroh Academy, Kukharuk marked the third year of the Russian invasion by tracking her journey from electricity hunter to Bard student. “When I saw the announcement of the Emergency Ukrainian Student Refuge Program, an initiative of Bard College, I was so excited at the idea that I might be able to continue my studies in calm conditions, with winter heat, without flinching from every loud sound, and without my parents having to worry about my safety,” she writes. Her advocacy for Ukraine continues, as part of the Ukrainian Solidarity Club and as an attendee to the Ukraine Action Summit in Washington, DC, in 2023. “By supporting Ukraine, we uphold the values of freedom and justice, showcasing the resilience of nations united against aggression and authoritarian regimes,” Kukharuk writes.

Post Date: 03-12-2024